FROM THE CHEAP SEATS – Playoffs magic

Mahomes magic is alive and well over in Kansas City. The Chiefs pulled out another victory from the jaws of defeat against the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs, setting up yet another hosting of the AFC Championship game. This time, they’re playing the upstart Cincinnati Bengals and their young signal caller, Joe Burrow.

After watching Burrow play in college, I always figured that he would have a good NFL career and I was glad to see that he went to the Bengals, considering that he played his high school ball in The Plains, Ohio., roughly 160 miles from Cincinnati. As a matter of fact, Burrow went to Ohio State University out of high school before transferring to Louisiana State University as a graduate transfer. He led his undefeated LSU Tigers to the National Championship in 2020 over the Trevor Lawrence led Clemson Tigers. In the game, Burrow threw for 463 yards and 5 touchdowns. I never expected the Bengals rise so quickly.

There are some high quality, young quarterbacks in the AFC. Of course you have Mahomes and Burrow, but you can throw in Josh Allen with the Bills who will get to multiple Super Bowls himself before his career is finished. Lawrence with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mac Jones up in New England, Lamar Jackson in Baltimore and Justin Herbert with the Los Angeles Chargers. The AFC will be a tough place to win in the coming years.

READ: Chiefs fans donate more than $250,000 to Buffalo children’s hospital after victory over Bills

Speaking of football, the Topeka Tropics, Topeka’s newest venture into the world of Arena Football, held open tryouts this last week. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend so I guess I’ll just sit this year out. They open their season on March 12^th when they travel to Sioux City, Iowa to play the Bandits. They’ll play their first home game the following week when the host the Salina Liberty at Landon Arena. Check them out online at gotropics.fun. You can also check out their Facebook page. My family and I will definitely attend some games this year. I love Arena football!

Not as much as I love baseball though! Spring training gets underway on February 12^th when pitchers and catchers begin reporting, unless they’re still in lockout mode. If that’s the case, the Kansas Jayhawks begin their season on February 18^th against Illinois. Their first home game is March 2^nd against Missouri State. Kansas State begins their season on the 18^th as well when they take on Arizona in the 2022 State Farm College Baseball Showdown. Their first home game is on March 6^th when they host the Nebraska Cornhuskers!

It’s a great time to be a sports fan!!

–Rob Mooney, Metro Voice sports writer